Words Hurt Too

Your cruelty slices through me like a knife,

leaving me cold, bloody, and tear stained on the pavement.

Your lies cut my arms,

my stomach.

Your taunts leave splinters in fingernails.

Your "jokes"

bruise ugly, graphic, blue and yellow patches on my skin.

Your broken promises crack my bones.

My hopes are destroyed

every time you spit filthy words through that sly mouth.

You don't hit

or strike,

or beat,

but you might as well.